South Africa: Yesterday, on 22 March 2023, the MEC for Social Development, Motshidise Koloi, hosted the Zimbabwean Embassy delegation on behalf of the Premier. The panel was led by Deputy Ambassador, Minister Plenipotentiary, Sheperd Gwenzi, who came with Kudzai Zhanje, First Secretary and Mr Crisswell Nyakudya, Social Development Officer.
The visit commenced with a photo opportunity for the MEC and Deputy Ambassador, his delegation and the Acting HOD. Acting HOD, Advocate TJ Phahlo welcomed all and extended his appreciation to the Deputy Ambassador and his delegation for having taken the time to pay the Province and Department a courtesy visit.
From the Province’s side, the International Government Relations were led by Ipeleng Morake, who took attendees through previous engagements held between the Free State Province and the Zimbabwean government. She touched on the main reason for the visit, which was the Zimbabwean exemption permits mapping exercise in the Free State Province.
General TS Lesia, the Police Deputy Commissioner, also welcomed the visit and committed to assisting with information on Zimbabwean nationals in the Police records.
The Deputy Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary, Sheperd Gwenzi, appreciated the warm welcome and stated one of their reasons for the visit was to collect information on Zimbabwean nationals in the country so that they can assist those who would like to return home.
Minister Gwenzi announced that Zimbabwe was a country on the mend, and there were initiatives taken to ensure that the country’s economy grew. He further invited investors in the Province to visit Zimbabwe to look at investing in their mining, agriculture, health and manufacturing sectors. Their government has incentives for investors.
He further passed a message that they needed to be conveyed to Zimbabweans in the Province that there are services available for them in their country, and they need them to come back and help grow their country.
MEC Koloi welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the role Zimbabwe played in the struggle against apartheid. She spoke on the need to liberate both countries economically. The MEC stated the need to enhance cultural and socioeconomic relations.
She cited the need for the protection of women and children and homeless children who become targets of abuse, and the environment they were raised in affects their growth. “Most of these foreign nationals come to South Africa to seek a better life. Therefore, it is important to build relationships dealing with triple challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequalities,” said MEC Koloi.
The challenge of unaccompanied and undocumented children was brought up as this makes such children vulnerable to child labour and human trafficking. A resolution was taken that a Task Team will be established to look at the databases of Zimbabwean nationals in the Province from different stakeholders such as Home Affairs, STATSSA and Police.
The MEC concluded the visit by wishing the Zimbabwean delegation all the best as they grew their country and wished them a safe journey back home.
